Can a patent examiner request information about related applications or patents?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-10 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice. Yes, a patent examiner can request information about related applications or patents. According to MPEP 704.11(a) , this includes: Copies of related applications Copies of other pending U.S. applications Copies of foreign patent documents cited in the specification Dates of public use or sale Information regarding inventorship The MPEP specifically states: ‘Information reasonably necessary for finding prior art … may include … copies of related applications or related patents referred to in the specification.’ This allows examiners to comprehensively evaluate the invention’s novelty and non-obviousness in light of related work. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Examples of Information Reasonably Required for Examination MPEP 704.11(a) Required Requirement for Determining Prior Art Status of Dependent Claim Elements MPEP 704.11(a) Requirement for Information from Third Party Prohibited MPEP 704.11(a) Permitted Petition to Withdraw or Modify 105 Requirement MPEP 704.14(c) Permitted Petitions Do Not Extend Reply Period for 37 CFR 1.105 Requirement MPEP 704.14(c) Trade Name of Embodied Goods/Services Required for Examination MPEP 704.11(a) Requirement for Advertising and Promotional Literature MPEP 704.11(a) Citation for Journal Articles Describing Embodied Goods or Services Must Be Provided MPEP 704.11(a) Trade Names and Providers of Competing Goods/Services Required for Examination MPEP 704.11(a) Identification of Changes Required for Reformatted Continuation Applications MPEP 704.11(a) Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse Can a patent examiner request information about competing products? What types of technical information can an examiner request dur...